EXSC8004 Exercise and Chronic Disease Management

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required, such as in field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate that they have a current National Police Clearance and a current National Criminal History Record Check (Child-Related Clearance) from the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI), which is valid for the duration of the placement.

Students must have a 'Provide First Aid Certificate', and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) prior to the commencement of any field placement.

This topic will require students to critically appraise evidence in regards to the clinical exercise physiology practice of exercise in people with a broad range of disease and comorbidities including cardiovascular, kidney, metabolic, and respiratory conditions. Critical appraisal will include, but not be limited to the pharmacological, surgical and medical management of these conditions as a requirement to provide safe and effective exercise interventions. Students will study the evidence concerning the acute and chronic effects of exercise in people with the target conditions and will be able to discuss the evidence in open forums with their peers. In addition, students will complete intensive theoretical and practical training in cardiopulmonary exercise testing including comprehensive electrocardiogram analysis to improve student's efficacy in cardiopulmonary exercise testing of a wide range of people with chronic disease.

This topic aims to:

• Provide students with a thorough understanding of how to safely exercise people with a variety of chronic diseases including cardiovascular, kidney, metabolic, and respiratory diseases
• Allow development of theoretical knowledge of exercise to manage chronic diseases and comorbidities
• Develop student's ability to administer and analyse ECG during cardiopulmonary exercise testing or assessment of exercise response during submamixal exercise in people with chronic disease

1. Critically appraise the evidence for exercise and the, surgical and medical management of chronic diseases and comorbidities including ischaemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, arrhythmias and pacemakers, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, valve disease, chronic kidney disease stages 1-5, diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, infectious kidney disease, acute kidney failure, end stage kidney disease, overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemias (acquired and familial), Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, sleep apnoea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis
2. Apply and demonstrate comprehensive assessment practices to the target conditions including: correct 12-lead electrocardiogram preparation, capture, analysis, and the relationship of the electrocardiogram trace to cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic responses during exercise; cardiopulmonary testing of clinical populations; blood lipid and glucose assessment and reporting, laboratory practices
3. Critically appraise progression; risk factors for; secondary complications and comorbidities influencing exercise interventions including indications and contraindications to exercise in people with these chronic conditions
4. Transmit knowledge of the effects of pharmacological treatments on acute and chronic exercise response in people with the target chronic disease and comorbidities
5. Critically evaluate the evidence supporting the optimal mode of exercise, intensity, duration, frequency, volume and progression towards the treatment of target chronic disease and comorbidities
6. Develop exercise programs in people with the target chronic disease and demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate response to acute exercise and the expected initial and outcome values for common physiological measures (e.g. maximal oxygen consumption) given the target condition
7. Identify specific behaviour change strategies as part of the overall lifestyle management of a person with the target chronic disease and comorbid conditions
8. Identify and acquire knowledge of the process of medical care for the target conditions including, but not limited to, the roles of other health professionals in a multidiscipline healthcare environment